Nobody likes to hear a parent ramble on and on about a child's accomplishments. It is one of my pet peeves. Today, however, I'm bragging, and I offer no excuses for my behavior. I'm proud.

Isaac

Isaac started the school year a week later than his brothers, which was a logistical nightmare. (Their schools are not in the same district.) It was also somewhat anxiety-provoking for everyone involved. After having the same teacher for two years whom we all dearly loved, Isaac started the year with a new teacher, a new classroom, and different classmates. He also had a different bus driver, a different bus, and his new bus arrived almost a full hour later than last year! That's a lot of change for a kid who can be resistant to a break in routine. I was nervous about the transition. He was nervous, too, especially as he waited for a bus that took a long time to arrive the first day of school. It was a recipe for disaster. Maggie, his teacher, said he adjusted to the new routine easily and has had great days. He hasn’t had any behavior issues at school except for occasionally laughing at a classmate who is misbehaving. He has been involved with Special Olympics and earned a medal in golf and a ribbon in soccer. The kid is athletic. Isaac has continued to count money (he started this last year) but now has been interested in bringing money to the YMCA. He usually takes a dollar or two with him. At first he never spent anything, but lately he has been buying a bottle of water from the vending machine. (Can you imagine the freedom to buy whatever you want INDEPENDENTLY without having to request it from another person? This seems like a wonderful deal, especially if you’re not able to communicate very easily.) Earlier this month, Chris took the boys to the Rec Center and as Chris left the weight room, he was shocked to see Isaac sitting on the floor drinking a bottle of water and eating a bag of Famous Amos cookies. When asked if he bought those things at the Rec Center, Isaac smiled and answered, "Yes!" Saturday morning when Chris and I got out of bed, Isaac had made a pot of coffee, unloaded the dishwasher, and brought clothes upstairs from the dryer. Tonight when I tucked him into bed and tossed his weighted blanket on top of him, he was watching a video of Wii Sports Resort Golf. He placed $2.50 near the iPad so it could be near him all night long.

Noah When Noah started 7th grade at a new junior high building this fall, it wasn’t a smooth transition. There were some tears involved, and it was overwhelming for him. It was a big change: new teachers, new classmates, a new schedule, and different expectations. I, too, felt like I was back in junior high as we sat down daily to determine what he needed to do, how he was going to do it, and in what format it needed to be done. It has been a little bumpy with lost items and some late assignments. After about a month, things got a little easier and more comfortable, especially when the after-school program started. (I think he has spent six hours after school playing a Monopoly game,and it's still not over.) Noah was discharged from special education in the spring last year, so this is the first year he has not had a 1:1 associate with him to keep him on track. Nobody has really been keeping tabs on him but me – and I’m doing it from home. His teachers have been wonderful. His guidance counselor has helped put some accommodations in place, such as allowing him to carry books in a backpack between classes. She has also helped him to make better use of his study hall time. We’ve been thankful for her. Noah is involved in band, jazz band (it meets at 6:45 a.m. twice per week – he never complains about the early morning), choir, men’s choir, and cooking club. He wakes up by himself, makes his own breakfast, and gets packed on early days. He is usually the first one out of bed. The first quarter ended Friday. He earned all A’s (not even one A-) and one B+. How’s that for fabulous? He also got high marks for being respectful, responsible, and prepared. This fall Noah auditioned for Opus Honor Choir, which is quite a competitive process. He attended last year. He has been practicing since August and has been singing with his instructor during the lunch hour, after school, etc. He learned Monday he was selected! He will be singing Thursday, November 21 in Ames at C.Y. Stephens Auditorium. Noah wants me to chaperone, which thrills me more than words can say. I’m there!

Henry Henry started third grade this year, and he loves his teacher. He began the year with a student teacher, and he thinks she will do well in her own classroom someday. He is learning cursive, which has been very exciting! Henry has been reading the Harry Potter series for the last year or two and has only a few pages left. How many pages are in the entire book series? 4,224 (I looked this up because I am bragging!) While he was in hot water recently, I asked Henry to finish up his fire prevention poster. This is what he drew:

Guess what? The firefighters came to his school Friday to announce that out of all the 3rd graders in Cedar Falls (approximately 380 kids if everyone entered the contest), his poster was chosen as 1st Place! He was thrilled to get a certificate signed by the fire chief, a visit from the firefighters, and a $30 Wal-Mart gift card. He was grinning from ear to ear.

Your kids are wonderful. And you have more than earned the right to brag. This is all incredible news. Absolutely delighted for you all Ty. Such a joy to read.

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Emily E

10/19/2013 10:31:17 pm

Ty, this was so fun to read. It is no surprise that the Rouw offspring would be so talented, and yet knowing the challenges you and they have faced make it so special for all of us to hear. Perhaps Noah will have time to blog about Opus again this year?

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Shelley

10/19/2013 10:58:23 pm

Sniff sniff....so wonderful!

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Barb

10/19/2013 11:58:22 pm

Awesome, indeed! :-)

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Jo

10/20/2013 12:14:16 am

You should be bragging every single day!!

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Kerri

10/20/2013 12:19:09 am

Love, Love, Love !!!!!

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Mary Lou Cubit

10/20/2013 12:44:15 am

Tyann, I read your blog to Grandpa and we were both all weepy when I got through. Your family is amazing!

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Jane Sorensen

10/20/2013 01:08:31 am

You have a lot to be proud of! Can you tell us what the dogs are saying in Henry's picture?

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Tyann

10/20/2013 08:06:58 am

Hi Jane,
Yep, the dogs are full of wisdom. Here's what they are saying: Please help prevent kitchen fires. * Don't go leave the house when the oven is on. Thats what causes fires. * All ways cook with an adult if you are a kid. That will help you not get burnt. * The dog's shirt at the right says "BACON."

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Ann Martin

10/20/2013 02:56:15 am

What an awesome blog. You have to be so very proud of your boys. What they have done is incredible! Only thing you forgot to talk about is the time and energy and the number of hours you have spent helping them to become independent, organized, etc. Henry might not have finished the poster had you not been there to see that he did. Noah would not be getting more organized and involved had you not been spending the time needed at home. Isaac becoming more independent, and making the transition that he has in school is because of the support and strength he has seen in his parents. I would like to brag about you and Chris because without doing what you have done...you would never been able to write this blog. Three cheers for the Rouw family. You are awesome.

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Tyann

10/20/2013 08:07:44 am

Love you, Ann! Thank you! xoxoxo

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Kate

10/20/2013 07:06:36 am

So awesome!

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Amy

10/20/2013 10:02:53 am

I second what Ann says- lovely and amazing family- children AND parents!

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MJ's Daughter

10/20/2013 11:58:54 am

I love this blog, thanks for writing. It always makes me smile!

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Lorri

10/20/2013 12:16:06 pm

You have every right to brag about your sons, Tyann! They are AWESOME!!! And their parents aren't bad, either! Love to all of the Cedar Falls Rouws! ; > )

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Andy Paris

10/20/2013 11:55:15 pm

Woohooooo!!!!!

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Chad

10/21/2013 12:25:04 am

Please brag again soon! Wow!

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Michelle Rouw

10/21/2013 05:29:36 am

Fantastic accomplishments! Mom and Dad should also be very proud of themselves for assisting with such amazing work!

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Author

I'm Tyann Sheldon Rouw, mother of three sons, wife to one husband, and lover of all chocolates. My twins have autism. I like the color green, advocating for autism, and trying to find the silver lining. Sometimes it's not easy. Usually it's funny.